Novel Writing Skills

Ideas For Alternate Grand Gestures In A Romance Story




These alternate grand gestures are tailored for different characters, themes, and stakes. A grand gesture should fit your characters' personalities, the tone of your story, and the conflict that needs resolving. Here are ideas across various romance tropes and scenarios, with examples to inspire your second chance romance or other love stories!


1. Alternate Gestures Based on Themes

A. Redemption

The character acknowledges past mistakes and takes responsibility for their actions.
- Idea: The character recreates a meaningful moment from their past relationship to show they still cherish it and want a fresh start.
- Example: Ethan restores an old clock from the library—a sentimental piece they loved during their relationship—to prove he’s committed to preserving her dreams.


B. Sacrifice

The character gives up something meaningful to prove their love.
- Idea: They resign from their job or cancel a career-changing opportunity that conflicts with their partner’s values.
- Example: Ethan resigns from his development firm, choosing Sophia and the library over his high-powered career.

  • Idea: The character donates their personal savings to fund something important to their partner.
  • Example: Ethan anonymously donates to the library’s fundraiser but Sophia later discovers the truth and realizes the depth of his feelings.

C. Community Involvement

The character shows their love not only for their partner but also for what matters to them.
- Idea: Organize a community event that supports the partner’s passion.
- Example: Ethan arranges a surprise library benefit gala, inviting the entire town, and uses the event to propose a revised project plan.


D. Personal Transformation

The character proves they’ve changed by facing a fear or flaw.
- Idea: Overcome a personal fear to do something that means the world to their partner.
- Example: If Ethan is afraid of public speaking, he gives a heartfelt speech at the council meeting, baring his soul to Sophia in front of the community.

  • Idea: The character, once resistant to emotional vulnerability, writes a heartfelt letter detailing how they’ve changed and what the partner means to them.

2. Alternate Gestures Based on Settings

A. Intimate Gestures

For quieter, character-driven romances, create a small but meaningful moment.
- Idea: Rebuild or fix something broken that represents their relationship.
- Example: Ethan repairs a dilapidated corner of the library—one that Sophia had given up on—showing his desire to rebuild not only the library but their connection.

  • Idea: Cook or recreate a special meal they shared in their past.
  • Example: Ethan invites Sophia to a candlelit dinner at the library, where he’s laid out their favorite books and a playlist of music they loved.

B. Public Gestures

For bold characters or dramatic moments, use a grand public display.
- Idea: The character interrupts an important event to make a heartfelt speech or confession.
- Example: During the library fundraiser’s busiest moment, Ethan takes the stage to explain why he’s abandoning the redevelopment project—and professes his love.

  • Idea: Organize a town-wide display of affection.
  • Example: Ethan gathers residents of the town to form a human chain around the library, symbolizing its importance and his commitment to saving it.

C. Symbolic Gestures

Use symbols tied to their relationship or shared history.
- Idea: Return something meaningful from their past relationship.
- Example: Ethan surprises Sophia with a restored rare book they once argued over during their first date at the library.

  • Idea: Create a tangible representation of their future together.
  • Example: Ethan presents Sophia with blueprints for a library expansion project that incorporates everything she’s ever dreamed of for the space.

3. Alternate Gestures by Romance Tropes

A. Second Chance Romance

The character must show they’ve grown and deserve a second shot.
- Idea: Plan a heartfelt apology tied to a location where they broke up.
- Example: Ethan takes Sophia to the park where they had their last argument, recreates the moment, and says everything he wished he’d said before.

  • Idea: Do something they refused to do the first time around.
  • Example: Ethan stayed distant from the town in the past, but now he moves back permanently, showing he’s ready to build a life with Sophia.

B. Enemies-to-Lovers

The character must prove they’ve changed their view of the other person.
- Idea: Sacrifice their pride for the other’s happiness.
- Example: Ethan admits to the town council that Sophia’s vision is better than his and withdraws his firm’s proposal.

  • Idea: Publicly defend their partner against someone else’s criticism.
  • Example: Ethan confronts a town council member who dismisses Sophia’s passion, showing he’s on her side.

C. Long-Distance Romance

The character closes the physical distance between them.
- Idea: Move to their partner’s city or town.
- Example: Ethan surprises Sophia by announcing he’s bought a house in her town, showing he’s committed to staying.

  • Idea: Create a memory bridge for the time they spent apart.
  • Example: Ethan writes a letter for every year they’ve been apart, explaining how he thought of her all along.

4. Dialogue Ideas for the Grand Gesture

A. Emotional Confessions

  • “I thought leaving was the right choice, but it was the biggest mistake of my life.”
  • “I’ve spent the last five years regretting the day I walked away. I’m not walking away again.”
  • “You were always my home, Sophia. I just didn’t realize it until I lost you.”

B. Proposals or Big Decisions

  • “I’m not here to tear down the library. I’m here to build something with you—for you.”
  • “I’ve given up the deal. Nothing is worth losing you again.”
  • “I’ve built skyscrapers all over the world, but nothing compares to standing next to you.”

5. Example Alternate Grand Gesture Scene

The Library Reconstruction

  • Setting: The library’s interior, quiet and dimly lit.
  • Gesture: Ethan surprises Sophia with a fully restored corner of the library that had been long neglected. The bookshelves gleam, and a table is set with her favorite flowers.

Dialogue Example:
- Ethan: “You told me once that this was the heart of the library. I couldn’t save everything, but I could at least bring this back to life—just like you brought me back to life.”
- Sophia: (Tearing up) “You did this for me?”
- Ethan: “For you. For us. For everything I was too blind to see before.”


If you liked this, consider supporting us by checking out Tiny Skills - 250+ Top Work & Personal Skills Made Easy